Record reading device



May 12, l931 J. T. BAssEcHx-:s

RECORD READING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1928 INVENTOR Patented May 12, 193i JACOB T. BASSECHES,

F NEW YORK, N. Y.

RECORD READING DEVICE Application led June 14,

This invention relates to so-called phonograph records and to a method and apparatus for collecting visual impressions during the time that the record is rotated, such as for playing. f

It is an object of my invention to provlde a method whereby a so-called phonograph record, having sound im ressions thereon, may during the reproduction or while rotating have made apparent or readable visually writf ten matter printed thereon.

My invention, in its preferred embodimentf contemplates associating with a disk type o phonograph record, having a sound record 15. impressed thereon and a prlnted or otherwise 3o the sound record is rotating, as when the tone arm or amplifier is in the -record, grooves whereby. during the time that a reproduction is made, the name of the title, name or other designation may be ascertained by inspectionY from the record itself so that a permanent labelling of the record may be utilized to make the same readable during rotation or repro-4 duction of the record.

It is a still further.` object of my invention 40 to provide in association with a phonograph record and the written, printed or otherwise formed visual impressions in the nature of the title, name, etc., relating to the sound record,

of. apparatus whereby the visually impressed or printed title or name may be illuminated and become visually apparent upon a stationary object, such as a screen, whereby during the rotation or reproduction, as .while playing of the record, the embossed, printed or otherwise impressed designation upon-,the record It is a further object of my invention to pro- 1928. Serial No. 285,313.

may be observed without interruption of the record. c

Other objects of my invention reside in the provision of simple, inexpensive apparatus whereby a sound record, such as of the disk type, may become readable during the rotation or playing thereof.

In the practice of my invention according to one embodiment thereof, a soundrecord, whether of the disk type or cylindrical type, has provided thereon a plurality of repeats, printed, embossed or otherwise impressed to be visually readable, of a designation usually associated with a sound record such as the title, composerlor artist, the repeats being so presented in reference to some point of observation as to have the appearance of being stationary during rotation or reproduction, as while playing, of the sound record.

ln the lpractice of my method for making printed or otherwise impressed matter readable from a rotating or playing record, a plurality of repeats are presented in reference to some point of observation and then there is caused at the point of observation a flickering obscuration at a speed of operation wheretionary image upon the retina of the eye.

In its preferred formA I associate upon a sound record, such as a phonograph disk, a plurality of radial markings which pass in 4by the alternation will have a cumulative eff fect tending to give the impression ofa stareference to some point of observation whereby the vision is interrupted so that the cumulative eiect of a plurality of the mark- 'ings will define or frame what appears to be a stationary representation. It is contemplated by my method to illuminate a plurality of impressed designations in the form of radial repeats or portions of said repeats, the cumulative eect of which is to form a complete letter, syllable, word or sentence, identifying a record, andv to alternately obscure -the same as by synchronizing the impressions in reference to points of observation with the alternations of light as may be provided from the alternating current of a house lighting system. f

It is contemplated that the synchronization of the alternating light and the moving repeats or portions thereof from the point of observation be such that durin movement away from the specific point oi'Fg observation the alternations of the current be at the dark portion thereof where as when the visual impression upon the record is completely framed or exactly at the point of observation the alternation of the current- Will be to effect maximum illumination. It is contemplated to provide repeats or portions thereof in such number as to be synchronized at the ordinary speed of rotation of a record, such as about 78 per minute with the customary 60 cycle, alternating current source of illumination. Perfect synchronization need not be made but that within a speed which Will have the impression upon the retina to give persistence of vision as of a stationary object. Thus, the number of repeats or portions thereof may be multiplied or reduced in number. t is also contemplated that synchronization of the repeats or portions thereof as impressed upon the sound record with the alternations or the light or source of illumination may be accomplished by varying a. predetermined source of constant current with the record, as by suitable contacting or make and break arrangement.

For augmenting the effect above described, it is contemplated by my invention. in the practice thereof, to position the point of observation during rotation of the record and its repeats or portions thereof so as to be substantially tangential to the rotating impressions on the record so as to be in the eld of observation or framing portion at its slowest speed approaching that of beingstationary relative to some point of reference. My method, therefore, includes observing or collecting visual impressions from some point approaching tangency to radial movement of the record.

To attain the objects above selt forth and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out and for purposes of further illustrating the method described, I make reference to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of an embodiment of my invention as associated with a phonograph turn table;

Figure 2 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the lines 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a phonograph record showing another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through another embodiment.

Making reference to the drawing, in Figure 1 I have shown the top of a phonograph 10, having mounted thereon at its upper surface a turn table 11', operated by the shaft 12, upon whose central pivotal pin 13 I may mount a disk type of p onograph record 14 in the customary manner. The record ,14 has associated therewith on one face, preferably at its central portion 15 a printed disk having a plurality of markings 16 radially disposed. These markings may be the name, title, composer or any other designation, usually associated with a phonograph record to identify the same and to give any other information in connection with the sound record markings thereon. It is preferred to observe the markings 16 from some fixed point and for this purpose an arm 17 is rovided, having one end 18 suitably ori ced to move freely over the pin 13 and is preferably spaced from the record by the collar 19. Intermediate its length I provide a frame or opening 20 of a size to include one repeat of the visual impression upon the record to thus completely frame the same. It is preferred that the arm 17 be held stationary and radially disposed and for this purpose the outer end 2l is positioned behind a fixed point on the phonograph and this is preferably the tone arm 22 of the phonograph. The end 2l is so disposed as to engage the needle mounting 23 so that during rotation the loosely mounted end 18 will not be carried with the rotating carrier. It will be observed that any stationary point may be chosen from the phonograph a paratus to radially dispose the arm 17. laced convenienti to the portion of the record having the mar `ngs, I provide a source of illumination comprising a standard 24 and a light source 25, preferably suitably shielded by the hood 26 to reflect the light upon the portion of the record having the markings. It is preferred that the source of current for this electric light be alternating current and where this is of the house current type, such as 60 cycles, the number of markings is so chosen as to be in synchronization with this type of current or, vice versa, synchronization of the light source may be effected by a commutating device operated by the record. It will be observed, also, that I prefer to put the arm 17 and its window 20 at a point whereby with a clockwise rotation of the record it may be observed at a point tangential to the record whereby the markings on the record move into the field at its slowest relative speed to the point of observation.

As previously noted, the repeats or fractions thereof are brought within the point of observation, such as the frame 20, at a time when maximum illumination is obtained from the light source 25 and moves from the frame during the dark or node of the alternation. Should synchronizi tion be slightly off, so as to be in non-alignment with the frame 10, it will be observed that the arm 17 may be moved backwards to effect a reading.

It will be observed that by the apparatus lative effect will be of a stationar" object permitting reading of the impresse matter v 'on the record. Furthermore, the stationary effect will be augmented by the point of observation being positioned at a point as near tangential to the revolving record to cause framing of or movement within the predetermined point of observation at the slowest rate of relative movement to the point of observation possible. Where it is desired to augment the effect produced by a plurality of repeats or fractions thereof and particularly to enable me, under certain conditions, to view themarkings on the record from a constant or non-fluctuating sourceA of light, I may associate with the face of the record embossed portions with the markings which 'it is desired to be able to read during rotation of the record upon one side of these embossed portions. For thispurpose I have provided the modification shown in Figure 4 wherein a record 11a has a plurality of embossed portions 16a. These embossed portions 16a have impressed on one face thereof 166 the markings or fragments thereof which, when moving in relation to some fixed point of observation will have the cumulative effect of a stationary object. It will be observed that when viewed as in Figure 1 with the modifications thereon as shown in Figures 4 and 5 from a point substantially tangential to the rotation and at an angle to the plane of rotation substantially at right angles to the face 166, this face will move into lthe field of vision at a substantially low relative speed and the tops of the embossed portions will serve to hide the face 166- when the embossed portion reaches a relative speed of movement too fast to give a stationary effect. The result will be a plurality of alternaions including reflection and obscuration o light from the face 166 equivalent to that of a motion picture film and 4in accordance with the method previously outlined for obtaining cumulative effects of vision giving the appearance of a stationary object. It will be observed that the embossings 16a may be aliixed to the plane lsurfaced record in the shape of a disk'made from moldable composition, such as papier mch or other moldable composition such as that of .which the record is made, and which may be axed to present types of records so as to be concentric therewith, or I may take the molding composition from which the record is made and at the time when the soundI record is formed and the. sound undulations or markingsr are 4embossed thereon, also form these embossed portions. where a sound record is formed with sound markings on opposite faces of the disk rec- For economy and particularly ord,` the oove betwn the embossings f orms the igh portion of the embossed ortions on the opposite sideof the record), as will be readily understood.

`Withthe form shown in I may have a plurality of repeats throughout the entire group of radial embossings or assign a group to one letter, syllable, word or roup of words and another group to another etter, syllable, word or group of words. Thus, in this form I may obtain a lar e amount of readable subject matter from t e record during rotation thereof. This embodiment may be used with alternating current or s nchronized by variation of the number of t e embossed markings or by synchronization ofthe alternations of the lighting current to lthe record.

In the embodiment described in Fi res 4 and 5, I amv enabled, further, to project the impressions from the embossin s 166by relection not only upon the eye o the observer but upon a fixed screen. For this purpose, in Figure 3 I have illustrated upon the phonograph 10 and the turntable 11 thereof, a phonograph record 14a, a permanent portion of the phonograph 10, such as the cover 10a having aixed to the bottom thereof a light source 25a and preferably a reflecting hood 26a. In one portion of the phonograph box, which may be in the cover member at 27, I provide in an opening 28 a translucent screen 29. This is so positioned as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the embossed portions 166 and positioned at a point best suitable for obtaining the `maximum stationary effect as previously described in connection with the eye of the observer, that is, at a point substantially tangential to the rotation of the record and'preferably at the forward, right hand side of a record turning clockwise and at an angle to the plane of the record so that the peak of the embossed portions will A serve to alternately hide the reflecting surface as it moves at apoint which will give too high a relative speed of movement to give la stationary effect. With the parts as positioned, the source of light will. be projected as shown in Figure 3 by the incident beam 30 and projected forwardly by the projected beam 31 upon the rear face of the screen 29. The cumulative effect upon this screen will be that of a stationary object4 and may be viewed from the exterior of the phonograph cover.l It will be observed -that in this way during the rotation or so-called playing of the record any marking, such as the title, name of composer or artist may be thrown uponthe screen 29 and be viewed during rotation of the record.

It will be understood that it is contemplated by my invention to so concentrate the light upon the face 166 and to reflect the same upon the screen 16a to obtain, if desired, magniication of the markings upon the face of Figures 4 and 5 the record. It will also be observed that though I have described as the desired form of projection and reflection of visual markings from the record during its rotation from a record including the embossed portions, I may obtain the same from the plane surfaced record as shown in .Figures 1 and 2 by positioning the screen and the illuminating surface at the point best suited for projection, reflection and observation, preferably utilizing the alternating current or the current synchronized with the plurality of repeats of markings described in connection with this embodiment.

l `urtl1erinore, I may, with the plane surface type of record, cause more than one reflection before projecting the materlal upon a screen and thus obtain the most convenient location of the screen and the light source for obtaining best stationary effects.

It will further be observed that though I have described my invention in connection with a disk type of record, this is merely by way of illustration and the saine may be applied to the cylindrical type of record, utilizing the principle and method previously d1- scribed for obtaining cumulative effects to obtain a stationary image of the markings to the eye of the observer. Vhen used in connection with the cylindrical type of record, the tangential point of observation may be obtained with greater facility.

It will also be observed that though I have described my invention and particularly the markings thereof as impressed, engraved or otherwise associated as by an additional disk at the central portion of the record, I may apply these markings adjacent the peripheral portion. Furthermore, though I have illustrated the repeats in Figure 1 as that of an entire word to obtain the cumulative effect simultaneously of the entire word, fractions of a letter, syllable or Word or plurality of the same may be successively positioned in varying increments, the total effect of which will give the desired marking on the face of the record during its rotation, as when playing.

ln Figure 6 it will be observed that I have illustrated a form of device wherein the improved apparent slow motion effect of the embodiments shown in F igures 3, 4 and 5 may be obtained with markings which are flat upon the record. In this view, the record l1 has its central portion l5 provided with a plurality of markings 1G, as described in connection With the embodiment illustrated in Figure l. I place in overlying position upon these markings a refracting prism 20a. The refracting prism 20a may be held stationary and be associated with the arm 17 at the point 2O or may be in number corresponding to the number of the markings 16. The effect of the refracting prism where the point of observation is at an angle to the plane of the record, to bring the markings substantially transversely to the line of observation to obtain maximum slow motion as the markings pass through the zone' of observation at substantially the same slow effect as obtained in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. lrVith either the single refracting prism as used in conjunction with the embodiment shown in Figure l or the multiple refracting prism as used and illustrated in Figure 6, a positioning of the markings will be obtained substantially transversely to the line of observation.

Thus, I may obtain in substantially all the forms a presentation of the lurality of markings when viewed from su stantially a tangential position to the rotation an apparent position of the markings transversely to the line of observation. This presents the markings almost stationarily at one point of observation to enhance the cumulative effeet of such presentation, to give persistence of vision of a stationary obJect.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The method of obtaining visual readings from a moving sound record to identify the record which comprises presenting a plurality of markings associated therewith, within a zone of predetermined observation in numbers within a period of time to give persistence of vision and simulate a substantially stationary visual representation of a graphic outline.

2. The method of obtaining visual readings from a moving sound record to identify the record which comprises presenting a plurality of graphic markings associated therewith, within a predetermined zone of ob- 105 servation at a rate of movement the cumulative effect of which will give the appearance substantially of a stationary object.

3. The method of obtaining visual readings from a rotating sound record to identify 110 the record which comprises presenting a plurality of identifying graphic markings associated therewith, within a zone of predetermined observation, the markings serving to have a cumulative effect to give persistence of 115 vision and causing obscuration at intervals when said markings are out of the zone of observation.

4. The method of obtaining visual readings from a rotating sound record to identi- 120 fy the record which comprises presenting a plurality of Graphic markings associated therewith, within a predetermined zone of observation, alternately illuminating said markings within said zone, the periods of 125 illumination being substantially in synchronism with said markings whereby a substantially stationary reading is obtained.

5. The method of obtaining visual readingsfrom a rotating sound record to identify 130 the. record which comprises presenting a plurallty of graphic markings associated therewith, within a zone of predetermined observation, the zone of observation being substan-` tially tangential to t-he direction of rotation and the markings being presented transverse to the line of observation.

6. The method of obtaining visuall readings from a rotating sound record to identify the record which com rises presenting a plurality of graphic maiikings associated therewith, within a predetermined y'zone and concentrating a source of light upon said markings as they appear within said zone and refleeting said markings upon a screen outside said zone.

7. The method of obtaining visual readings from a rotating sound record to identify the record which comprises presenting a pluralityof graphic markings associated therewith, within a predetermlned zone and concentrating a source of light upon said markings as they appear within said zone by alternating illumination substantially in synchro- -nism with the appearance fof the markings within said zone and reflecting the light from said markings upon a screen outside said zone.

8. The method of obtaining visual readings from a rotating sound record to identify the record which comprises presenting a plurality of graphic markings associated therewith, within a predetermined zone, disposed substantially tan entially to the direction of rotation, the mar ings being presented substantially transversely to a source of illumination, concentrating light from said source upon said markin s as they appear within said predetermined zone and reflecting the light from said markings upon a translucent screen outside said zone.

9. A sound record, having in combination therewith visual graphic markings identifying the record adapted to-be readable during rotation of the sound record, said markings being disposed in number and position on said record whereby when viewed from some predetermined point of observation it will give a cumulative effect of being stationary.

10. In combination with a sound record and portions thereof devoted to indication of identiiication of said record, markings comprising graphic outlines on said portions, said markings being so disposed and positioned as to have a cumulative visible effect when said record is moving within limits giving persistence of vision substantially that `of a stationary object.

11. In combination with a sound record and portions thereof devoted to indication of identification of said record, markings comprising gra hic outlines on said portions, said markings eing radially disposed and in number whereby thy coordinate to have a cumulative visible e ect when said record is moving within limits giving persistenceof yision substantially that of a stationary object.

12. In combination with a sound record and portions thereof devoted to indication of identification of said record, means for supporting markings comprising graphic outlines on said portions, said means inc ding surfaces having reflective powers at a angle to the plane of rotation of said record-whereby observation may be made angularly to the record and the cumulative eEect of the markings accentuated.

13. In combination with a sound record and portions thereof devoted to indication of identification of said record, angularly disposed surfaces on said portions whereby markings on said surfaces will serve to have a cumulative visible effect when said record is moving Within limits giving persistence of vision substantially of a stationary outline of a graphic object.

14. In combination with a sound recording device or the like adapted to include a rotating record includin portions thereof devoted to indication o identification of said record and markings comprising graphic outlines disposed on said portions arranged to have a cumulative visible effect when said record is moving, means for taking observations from a predetermined portion of said record and means for illuminating said record to cause reflection within the zone of said predetermined portion.

15. In combination with a phonograph and l a sound record having identifying portions including markings comprising graphic outlines so disposed and positioned as to have a cumulative visible effect within a predetermined area and means for illuminating said record disposed to reflect li ht from said record within said predetermined area.

16. For combination with a phonograph or the like, a sound record includln portions thereof devoted to indication of identification of said record, graphie markings `on said portions of said record disposed in position radially and in repeats suliicient to have a cumulative effect glving persistence of vision of a stationary obg'ect.`

'17. In combination with a sound record and portions thereof devoted to indication of identification of said'record, of a plurality of markings including graphic outlmes on said portions and means` for illuminating said markings `and means for directing an observers view to said markings in a plane transverse to the line of observation and substantially tangential to the direction of rotation of said record to obtain observation of said markin at a minimum movement relatively to sai line of observation.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 

